Tuesday, 30 November 2010

REVIEW: THE BLACK EYED PEAS: THE BEGINNING

3.5/5

You thought it was 'The E.N.D.' but it's only just 'The Beginning'

I guess 'The E.N.D' really wasn't it for the Black Eyed Peas. The group have still 'Gotta Feeling' for the clubs as they end the year with 'The Beginning', another disc of party tracks for the new decade as they and David Guetta continue to rule the clubs. Seriously though do these guys ever leave the nightspot?

The party starts with 'The Time (Dirty Bit)' an even catchier track than their biggest hit. This club ready tune really starts off the 'Dirty Dancing' with will.i.am taking the lead and Fergie acting as Jennifer Grey perfectly. The sample is sublime, the beat is ridiculous and even apl.de.ap and Taboo gets some shine with some cool raps, Taboo speaking out with lines like "All-all these girls, they like my swagger/They callin’ me Mick Jagger/I be rollin’ like a Stone/Jet-setter jet-lagger", on this new classic the Peas rock out and have a Swayze.

The samples don't stop their as the Black Eyed Peas are cleared for more chart takeoff. The illuminating 'Light Up the Night' samples Slick Rick's 'Children's Story' furthering the development and growth of the hip-hop classic. The upbeat track keeps the party going way into the evening, even more than Montell Jordan's classic sampling 'This Is How We Do It'. This take on Slick's coolest number is very different to Jordan's but this is how the Peas do it.

'Fashion Beats' is another gem tailored for the after party. The 'My Forbidden Love' sample really is Chic.The beat is retarded and will.i.am's lyrics even stranger but hey there in fashion. Will suits up like Kanye rhyming, "Enchantée, comment allez vous?/Très bien, merci. Et vous?/Super good, super nice/Salt and pepper/Sugar and spice/Space sugar case to the moon let's go/Coco Chanel/Maralyn Munro/Cat walk/Fashion show/Runway/Fashion show/Tall man/Radio/G6/I don't know." This track is definitely a strange stand out, but your going to love the way it fits.

The Black Eyed Peas love for the classics doesn't stop there. They 'Love You Long Time' 'Gives It Up' to KC & The Sunshine Band and with Fergie and Will's trademark, classic back in forth this could be another massive hit their sampling here. It could be the make up to 'Shut Up'. Finally with 'The Coming' the Black Eye's go out with a final sample, 'Here I Come' by Barrington Levy. A cool track which let's you know these guys are on their way to yet even more success.

The group extend their curfew with 'Don't Stop the Party' proving that they wont stop dancing till their thrown out and with another album laden with hits, this group is more than welcome. They wont be bounced for some time as they provide the bounce with big bass numbers like 'Do It Like This' and the lyrically, text perfect, single to be 'XOXOXO'. A couple of good numbers that embrace the love this band preaches about. As the album kisses us goodbye there's a few tracks that get lost in the party. Not that the group are watering anything down but as they keep on drinking, your glad this album doesn't reach into the 20 track radius because that would be the point you'd tell them they've had enough. Ironically by 'Just Can't Get Enough' you may actually have had, wanting to tell them and 'The Best One Yet (The Boy)' may not be just that but still these tracks are good. Plus when 'Play It Loud' finishes up this album the volume will still be set to high and you'll still be at the party. As you look for your coat at 'The E.N.D.' this may not be as great a night as the last but it will still be one you will always remember.

The Black Eyed Peas continue their clean sweep on hip-hop proving their PG raps have something for everyone. Even without the respect of some the Black Eyed Peas still hark back to real hip-hop. plus this group have a lot of people behind them. It doesn't get much bigger than Oprah Winfrey (pun not intended) and she even co-signs this album naming it one of 'Oprah's Favorite Things' for 2010. Her audience even got the album 11 days prior to it's official release, 'You get a new Black Eyed Peas CD, you get a new Black Eyed Peas CD'. These stars really have moved in to another galaxy with their recent sound. As they top the charts they rise to the forefront and the doorstep of every household. The hip-hop game may not be theirs (yet) but the chart game certainly is and remember this is only 'The Beginning'. Whatever next? TIM DAVID HARVEY.